Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 20, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Word provides a way you can adjust the horizontal size of characters in your document. Actually, the scaling can be applied to any characters in a selection. To format characters in this way, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Character Spacing tab of the Font dialog box.
If you find you have a need to scale quite a few selections in your documents, you can add a scaling tool to a toolbar:
Figure 2. The Commands tab of the Customize dialog box.
With the Character Scaling tool in place, you can easily change the scaling of any selected text at any time.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (607) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Adjusting the Width of Characters.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!
Word allows you to format your text in a number of different ways. One rather esoteric way to format your text is by ...
Discover MoreWhen you upgrade from a system with an older version of Word to a system that has a newer version, your fonts may not ...
Discover MoreYou can customize Word so it includes a Fonts menu.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments